Scouting South Elgin girls basketball

South Elgin Storm

Coach: Tim Prendergast (4th year, 43-41)

Conference: Upstate Eight (Valley)

2009-10 record: 11-17 (2-8 UEC)

Top returning players: Deandra Anderson (Sr., 5-11 C/F), Kelsey Prince (Sr., 5-6 F), Becca Smith (Jr., 5-7 G), Lania Robinson (Jr., 5-6 G).

Top newcomers: Andriella Patterson (Sr., 5-7 G), Nicole Lewis (Jr., 5-8 F), Dereka Macon (Jr., 5-3 G), Kara Rodriguez (So., 5-6 G/F), Amanda Behles (So., 5-7 G/F), Kenedee Miller (Fr., 5-11 F), Savannah Uvegas (Fr., 5-9 G).

Season outlook: The Storm is hoping to right the ship after a subpar season that saw it win only 2 games in Upstate Eight Conference play.”We struggled defensively last year so we’ve been focusing on defense,” said Prendergast. “We’ve only got three seniors so we’ll be young but we have a nice mix of youth. Size-wise we’re much smaller than in the past so we’re trying to spread things out a little and maximize our speed. We’ll have to find a way to rebound. Collectively as a team we’ll have to be physical and share the load rebounding.” The Storm’s game starts with Smith, the smooth shooter who has big-game potential every night. A two-time all-area player who enters the season with 966 career points, Smith averaged 20.3 points, 4. 6 rebounds and 4.5 assists last season as well as hitting 75 percent of her free throws and averaging 4.5 steals per game. “It starts and ends with Becca,” Prendergast said. “She’s been playing real well and we expect her to be the leader on and off the court and set the tone in practice.” Prince led the team in 3-pointers last year with 18 and will be looked to to score more this season. “Last year was disappointing,” Prendergast said. “We need to be better this year.”